Monday, December 5, 2016

Doomed To Begin With

South Africans were left flabbergasted by media reports covering the exploits of controversial pastor Lethebo Rabalago, otherwise known as the “The Prophet of Doom”. Rabalago made headlines when it was revealed that he sprays Doom pesticide at congregants in the belief that it will heal them of their ailments. As bizarre and dangerous as this may seem to some, there are people who have suffered far worse consequences as a result of blind faith which history will attest to.

In Pakistan (2014) a 40-year-old gentleman named Muhammad Niaz volunteered to be a test case for the ultimate miracle, to be risen from the dead.

Over a period of five years prior, Muhammad Sabir, a pir of village Mubarakabad in Bahawalnagar, had gained popularity for his alleged ability to perform miracles. He believed he could perform a full resurrection and made it known to his followers that he wanted to kill and revive a faithful man, but not just any follower would do, it had to be a faithful married man with children!

Niaz heeded the call and volunteered himself to be euthanized fully in the belief that the condition would be temporary. An anonymous caller notified police, however by the time police had arrived, it was already too late.

Witnesses said Sabir uttered some words to bring Niaz back to life. They said when he realized his ‘miracle’ had not worked, he tried to flee. He was detained by villagers who handed him over to police who formerly charged him with murder.